More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 3:8 BSB
Someone put it this way: If I have money and do not have Jesus, I have nothing. If you have Jesus but have no money, you have everything. If another person has both money and Jesus, that person has everything, but still does not have more than the person who has Jesus alone. Hebrews 11 gives us a picture of what this looks like in practice. Moses chose to leave behind the privileges and riches of Egypt, counting the reproach of Christ as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt (Heb. 11:24–26).
And this is the kind of knowledge we must present to people from the very beginning. A lot of people are not aware that Christianity is first, foremost, and primarily about Jesus Christ—the gain of knowing Him, the joy of His salvation. Every other thing comes as an add on. We have painted a picture that it’s all roses and sunshine, and Christ is like a genie. No. We must understand—and make others understand—that Christianity is a faith that tells us to be prepared for anything we may lose for it but rejoice at the single, best and most important thing we gain from it.
So that we may be like Job, who said, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him” (Job 13:15). So that we become like Paul, who considered even death gain, that he may be with Christ (Php. 1:21). So that we too can withstand persecution, like the Apostles did, because the joy of Christ is far greater gain than pleasing men (Acts 5:41).
Again, it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t wish well for us. In fact, scripture helps us understand that it is His will. He wills that we be in health and prosper (in all things) even as our SOULS prosper (3 Jn. 1:2, Psa. 35:27). The soul first, then other things. God is interested in blessing us, but not more than He intends, that we come into the blessing of knowing Christ. Paul’s one prayer was to know Christ (Php. 3:8-10). Until we are at a point where we can boldly declare that we wouldn’t trade Jesus Christ for anything, we are not there yet.
Therefore, the message here is that we come to a place where, come rain or shine, our decision remains the same: we will follow Jesus.
The reason why this message has to be at the forefront of our evangelism is that it helps people really decide if they want to follow Jesus or not. Some people who left the faith did so because they weren’t aware of all it took. They didn’t know what the stakes were. That young man could not bear to part with all his possessions to follow Jesus (Matt. 19:16-22, Lk. 14:25-33). But Peter could, and he did (Lk. 5:1-11). If we are going to raise believers who stay in the faith, we must present them with all the truth and then leave them to make the decision.
But as for we who have understanding, we know that Christ is worth much more than any other possession. Jesus uses two parables to explain the worth of His kingdom in Matthew 13:44-46. He demonstrated that even if it costs everything, it is worth it. Furthermore, he mentions something important. In his joy, he sells all that he has. The exchange is not done forcibly or begrudgingly but is actually something delightful to the one who understands the preciousness of the kingdom.
Therefore, your willingness to lose anything and everything for Christ starts with how precious you view Him. If I suggested to you that you trade me a pen in your hand for a gold bar, in a heartbeat, in fact, while the words are still in my mouth, you would quickly make the exchange, because you reckon that the gold is far more precious than the pen in your hand.
We know that the joy of salvation is far greater than whatever joys life offers. We know that the life of Christ is infinitely greater than the life we have here on earth.
We, like Paul, are willing to count everything we have as loss for the sake of Christ (Php. 3:7-8). And when we do make Him our ultimate gain, we, indeed, lack nothing. But knowing that Christ is worth everything and actually being willing to lose everything for Him are two different things. What, then, gives us the strength to make such a decision? Faith.
Moses achieved it by faith. Peter had great faith in Jesus and was able to immediately abandon everything to follow after the One who called him. It is difficult to firmly say yes to someone you don’t trust wholeheartedly.
So here’s a starting point, a nice way to think of it, if you will. Matthew 16:26 poses a question: what could a man give in exchange for his soul? Jesus gives essence to our souls. Without Him and His finished works, our souls are headed for destruction. To turn away from Him is to give up our souls. And genuinely, what in this passing world is worth our eternal fate?
Christ is the One who preserves our souls. For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul? Eternal life, rest, and assurance for the soul is that we know the true God and trust Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 17:3 NIV
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